Race/Ethnicity and Outcomes of Venous Ablation Procedures

Endovenous ablation has become the most common procedure performed for treating patients with chronic venous insufficiency. However, there are no data looking at its effectiveness and safety in patients of different race/ethnicity. In this study, we aim to explore the endovenous heat-induced thrombosis (EHIT) and recanalization rates in patients of different race/ethnicity. We performed a retrospective analysis of thermal ablation procedures from 2012 to 2022 completed at our single outpatient institution and looked at EHIT and recanalization rates. Of these 13,335 procedures, 8187 were radiofrequency ablations and 5148 were endovenous laser ablations. Of these procedures, 8946 were performed on female patients (67.1%). Duplex ultrasound scans were conducted in patients 3 to 7 days after their procedure, then 3 to 6 months after for the first year, and every 6 to 12 months thereafter. Recanalization and EHIT were defined as reflux or thrombus (using arteriovenous fistula EHIT guidelines classification) as seen on follow-up duplex ultrasound of the target vessel, respectively. In Asian patients, the EHIT and recanalization rates were 2.6% and 3.4% respectively. The EHIT and recanalization rates in Black patients were 3.0% and 3.4% respectively. In Hispanic patients, 1.4% of patients developed EHIT and 2.4% of patients experienced recanalization. In Caucasian patients, 2.0% of patients experienced recanalization and 1.7% had EHIT. The procedural success rate in the different patient groups, defined as ablations in which recanalization or EHIT was not observed, were 96.1% Asian, 95.2% Black, 96.1% Hispanic, and 96.2% Caucasian patients. There was no significant difference in EHIT and recanalization rates among patients of different race/ethnicity. Of the patients that experienced recanalization, we did not find a difference in EHIT when stratified by race/ethnicity as compared with those that did not recanalize (Tables I and II). These data suggest that there is no significant difference in EHIT and recanalization rates among patients of different race/ethnicity. Radiofrequency ablation and endovenous laser ablation are technically safe procedures for treating patients with chronic venous insufficiency irrespective of the race or ethnicity examined.Table IPatients that did not recanalize and developed endovenous heat-induced thrombosis (EHIT) stratified by raceRaceNo EHITClass 1Class 2Class 3Class 4TotalAsian5902010593Black17023512001749Hispanic2392249102426White81279726118252 Open table in a new tab Table IIPatients who recanalized and developed endovenous heat-induced thrombosis (EHIT) stratified by raceRaceNo EHITClass 1Class 2Class 3Class 4TotalAsian81300021Black32501038Hispanic60200062White17320100194 Open table in a new tab